It feels as if I'm being consumed alive.
But this time, when I chant the words of a healing ritual, dark magic surges through the air and wraps around Maven. It seeps into her body, and her skin begins to heal. Her chest rises and falls with new breath.
She'll survive. Thank the fucking gods.
But the moment I finish uttering the powerful words, I collapse beside her. The world blurs around me as the voices in my head whisper nothing but truths for once.
You've lost it.
Only a fraction of those who attempt to take up dark magic survive the transition.
Was she really worth losing yourself, you useless boy?
"Yes," I whisper, closing my eyes and letting the madness have me.
If I survive this, I'll be a necromancer.
If I die, I die saving my blood blossom.
Either way, I regret nothing.
34
MAVEN
It'sa shame I didn't kill Hearst. If I had, I would have already known the incomparable surge of power that comes from killing off a member of the Immortal Quintet.
That heady buzz is humming in my veins, so rich and promising in its destructive capabilities that it almost lulls me to sleep. I'm groggy, and for some reason, I feel like I should be in a shit ton of pain.
But I'm not.
Why am I not?
My skin is tingling, not in a pleasant way, but it's not bad either. Weird. This is the same sensation I used to experience whenever Amadeus would have his necromancers patch me up instead of simply letting me expire and come back. Did I somehow manage to heal myself after Somnus hurt me?
No, wait. Somnus didn't hurt me.
It was fire.
Oh, fuck. Am I truly dead this time? Did I fail Lillian and the humans in the Nether?
But no. Even if I'm struggling to open my eyes, the air is still thick with smoke and the titillating scent of battle. Someoneshouts nearby, and I hear a dragon growling—mydragon. Is he okay? Are any of them hurt?
Warm hands brush against my face, and someone lets out a breath of relief. Soft lips brush against my forehead.
"Thank the gods. I can sense you're awake, love. Open those beautiful eyes for me."
I do, and then I squint. "You're covered in blood."
"Most of us are. But not to worry, you look good as new," Crypt smiles, but it's weak. He looks exhausted.
Despite how tired he sounds, I realize he's scooped me up off the ground, and we're leaving the maze. My eyes flutter as I try to keep up with our surroundings. Why the fuck am I so out of it? How did I survive that fire? It hurt like hell, and then everything went black. I thought I was finally slipping away for good, but now…
I focus on Crypt again. "What do you mean, good as new?"
"Silas was finally useful. I'll have to thank him, for once."
Crypt…thanking Silas? It's like I woke up in an alternate universe. What happened?
